Congressional Hawks Vow to Block Normalization of Cuba Ties

President Obama’s announcement of his intentions to end 53 years of acrimony toward Cuba, and move toward normalization of relations, including reopening the Embassy in Havana, came as a shock to many.

Polls show that the American public has been supportive of the idea for awhile now, however, and that anti-Cuba sentiment is something a lot of people got over literally decades ago.

The US severed all diplomatic ties with Cuba in 1961, and while most of the rest of the world ended the Cold War era hostility decades ago, maintained it through today. President Obama declared that in this case, isolation didn’t work.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R – FL) dubbed Obama the “appeaser-in-chief” for proposing a return to normal relations, with others declaring the move ill-timed, and threatening the pressure 53 years of unsuccessful sanctions put on it. Sen. Rubio went on to condemn the pope for his involvement in the negotiations as well.

These chicken "hawk" never been for peace or a normal relation with a mutual benefit policies toward nation period, but English far right hypocrisy. Look: socialism dosent need any hawk or chickens or wolfowitz to exist or to grow, because socialism is about peace, social political and economic justice, in the other hand look at the history of US capitalism in just last 65 years, or the Englush for that matter, do you see any time when these two regime, in cooperation been for peace! US and England hand in hand in last 300 years been at war with disrespect for human rights, with war crimes and disrespect for nations integrity, just look at Libya, Iraq, Syria and countries where these capitalists/monarchism regime been bombing. Can anyone say the same about socialism?

And all this in exchange for what? Aside from that one guy. What are the Castro murderers going give up or do that will in any way alleviate the misery if that island.

Whatever happens, this is going to end up costing the US taxpayer billions isn't it? Since every Cuban here and in the future every Cuban anywhere is going to end up getting welfare, gifts, and everything else they get courtesy of the US taxpayer.

It is still mindboggling how in the same week the moron in the WH wants to to normalize relations with Cuba while imposing sanctions on Russia. And all this following the release of the report on US torture. Yeah, don't worry about the crimes we commit, look, we're going to open up a shiny embassy!

RickR30,
Give it a break, will you? What has Cuba ever done to America except tick off some old Cuban criminals who left Cuba for Miami with suitcases of 100 peso notes that they still want somebody to redeem. And, trust me, "every Cuban here …is going to end up getting welfare, gifts and every thing else …. courtesy of the US taxpayer." is not going to happen. You are confusing Cubans with Israelis.
Give it a chance, there will be benefits – we may even be able to buy sugar cheaper; plus this place is a goldmine for old Packard and Desoto parts.

Cuba has done nothing to America. That's not the point. The point is what the Castros have done to Cubans. The question is what will the benefits be to the Cuban people, not to the US, and without the US becoming the benefactor. And yes, it will happen, Cuba will become a welfare island and/or given the chance, every single Cuban is going to end up in Miami (and not return) given the largesse of the US government. I'm not against normalizing relations with Cuba and every other country on earth, but this has to be thought out carefully and has be accompanied with a series of measures to ensure the US taxpayer doesn't get stuck with yet another massive bill.

If the treatment of the country's citizens by their government is the criteria for having normalized relations, we should be closing down just about every embassy that we have around the world. And if other countries used the same criteria, our embassies would be empty.

Rick is yet another self proclaimed anti socialism, anti right of people freedom to chose, anti social economic and political justice that's it. He wouldent not give a inch of his fake freedom and democracy because he is benefiting in all that fake and unjustly implied social political and economic concepts by capitalism, Rick woulde give more to his uncle Sam and applaud his atrocities toward nations around the world as long as Rick is safe and protected by a militarism and a police state.

Cannot agree with you on this one Rick, I do not believe the US will start funding Cubans after more than 50 years of unfair treatment and embargo. I believe the American economy will benefit from this normalization. Even with little support it can do wonders as there will be a good new market for American goods.

It's about time. Thanks Barak. All of this silly sanctioning and isolation of Cuba has done what, exactly, for anybody other than the crazies who thought they might 'retake' the island for their version of democracy? This is small step towards common sense foreign policy which the US is unfortunately rather short on.

Is he crazy ? Give it another year, Obama, its only been 50 + years I'm sure Cuba is on the verge of collapse and the ruling government will be overthrown anytime now, please keep the oh so successful sanctions gong for a bit longer, half a century just isnt long enough.

Obviously that was sarcasm, the sanctions and policies towards cuba for 50 years have solidified castros rule, all dictators need an enemy to justyfy their existence and brutal policies, the US has been happy to play the role for him.

Exactly right. Not long ago USAID was caught trying to subvert Cuba's government with just such tactics disguised as a program to increase cell phone use. Some of the first businesses to be given access to Cuba under this newly negotiated agreement are the telecommunications industry and NGOs. Yes, the Castro brothers have their faults, but are the Koch brothers likely to be any better?

I don't understand why everyone says the sanctions were a failure. They are still working perfectly.

The whole point of picking up a small weak nation and smashing it into the ground is to demonstrate what happens when anyone anywhere on the planet dares to defy the diktats of the Empire.

The Iraq war is not a "failure". The Vietnam war was not a "loss". The biggest crime anybody can commit, either as an individual or even a nation, is "Failure to Obey". They failed to obey, and suffered the consequences. Michael Brown failed to obey, and he died.

The Castros crime was to seize oil refineries. Of course, they didn't have much choice after the US-owned refineries refused to process Evil Rooskie Oil. But nobody wants to talk about that.

Like any hierarchical state, Cuba likely has committed numerous crimes against its citizens. But Uncle Sam doesn't care about that. Cuba dared to say NO to Uncle Sam (and right in our back yard!).

"…Cuba likely has committed numerous crimes against its citizens. But Uncle Sam doesn't care about that."

That's because the US might have to answer questions about its own crimes against their own people. And the crimes committed by the US against its own people are becoming more and more evident and people ARE starting to question and connect the dots of who/what are guiding the narrative…and the Archons are…concerned. Hence the increase in laws that actually decrease our freedom and liberties – all in the name of "National Security, of course.

Such "Hawks" are idiots. No wonder the ruling financial elite prefer Obama — as he's planning for their future:

With the proper planning and sufficient legal-work, which the < 0.1% global-rich running this Disguised Global Empire have both the funds and motivation to provide, the 'New Cuba Colony Estates' could be the next 'hot-spot' for the looting Jet-set to escape to after they finish fucking the US as their current HQ, and when things get too hot for them to stay state-side.

I have it on good authority that 'The Donald' is already planning a sea-front development of homes (starting at only $50M) which have both Raytheon Aegis defenses, in case we deluded American proles get mad, and slave quarters for their new Cuban serfs — and with all 'Empire-Elite' initial buyers getting free electronic banking services to move their stolen funds to any location in this world (or the next) which provides air-tight assurance of no Expropriations.

Of course, this paradise in 'New Cuba' will only be used until the ultimate elite escape colony on Mars is completed by mid century at PNEC (Project for the New Empire Century)

This is an obvious ploy to set up the conditions that will allow the US to stop those annual $4000 payments to Cuba in return for base rights at Guantanamo Bay. We've been chafing under this tribute for so long- finally, a light at the end of the tunnel!